WDIV was the first television station in Michigan, signing on as WWDT on October 23, 1946, for one day of demonstration programming. Regular programming commenced on June 3, 1947. On May 15 of that year the station changed its call letters to WWJ-TV after WWJ radio (950 AM). Both stations were owned by the Detroit News. Channel 4 has always been an NBC affiliate, although it aired some programs from the DuMont Television Network prior to WJBK-TV‘s sign-on in 1948.
Channel 4 had a number of broadcasting firsts in Michigan, including the first telecast of Detroit Tigers, Red Wings and Lions games as well as televised newscasts. WDIV was the first TV station in Michigan to broadcast in color which was in 1954. The stations studios and transmitter were originally in the Detroit News building in downtown Detroit. In 1954, the station shut down its original transmitter located on top of the Detroit News building and constructed a new 1,004 foot transmitter at the intersection of Greenfield and Lincoln Roads in Southfield, Michigan.
Sources:
WDIV TV Radio-TV Broadcast History.